Spark-plug intensifier



R. S. PATCHEN.

SPARK PLUG INTENSIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. 1919.

1,352, 526, 'PatentedSept. 14, 1920.

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PATENT orrlca.

RAYMOND S. PATCHEN, OF MARION, INDIANA.

SPARK-PLUG INTENSIFIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 14., 1920.

1 Application filed October 22, 1919. Serial No. 332,435.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, RAYMOND S. PATCHEN,

a citizen of the United States, residin at Marion, inthe county of Grant and tate of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Spark-Plug Intensifier, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to spark plugs and more particularly to improvedspark plug intensifier or terminal connection for spark plugs and internal combustion engines in automobiles and the like.

It is the object of the invention to provide a device adapted to be interposed in the connection between the spark plug and the conductor, for the purpose of intensifying the sparks between the spark points of the plug to facilitate ignition of the combustible gases in the cylinder, to'permit testing of the spark plugs without disconnecting the terminal wires and cranking the engine in the usual way to determine if a plug is sparking properly at all times, and finally, to enhance and permit the use of an old spark plug which might not otherwise be usable.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear-as the description pro ceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of spark plug provided with my improved intensifier, the latter being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away. 1

Referring to the drawing in details, in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views, 10 designates a spark plug of the usual or any preferred construction having the sparking points 11 and 12. 13 designates the bushing located above the wrench head 14 adapted to attach the spark plug through the medium of its threaded portion 15 forming a part of the body thereof.

The point 11 forming the positive terminal, extends through the plug and bushing thereof and is provided with a terminal 16, which is perfectly threaded for the attachment of a binding nut 17, while'the spark point 12 is grounded to the body of the plug and cylinder in the .usual way.

\ The improved intensifier comprises a pair of spaced plates or strips of metal indicated at 18 and 19, the same being preferably made of magnetic steel or other suitable electrical conducting material, though the material mentioned is especially conducive 'to sparking. These strips are each provided with a pair of spaced apertures 20 and 21, the apertures 20 of the plates being designed to engage the terminal Wire 16 and the terminal 11, being effectively anchored by the b nding nut 17. The corresponding opening of the plate 19 is connected to the conductor 22, preferably having a metallic apertured terminal 23 the alined apertures receiving a connector or bolt 24 engaged by a binding nut 25 to effectively connect the conductor 22 to the plate as clearly shown in the drawing.

The plates 18 and 19 are placed in alinement andin spaced relation at their inner ends, which are tapered as shown at 26, be-

ing beveled at their opposite sides, thus providing with points adapted to concentrate the current supply to produce a spark of effective tensity therebetween. In order to effectively connect and hold said plates in the relation specified, they are held between spaced fiber blocks or plates 27, the same having apertures alining with the apertures 21 to receive connecting members such as bolts 28, whereby said points 26 will be in fixed spaced relation and the spark will be prevented from jumping between external parts and thereby will be confined to the space between the points 26 of the plates 18 and 19. The insulating locks 27 are also apertured as indicated at 29 disposed in alinement vertically at the points 26, thus providing a surrounding cylindrical aperture and walls confining the points therein. The blocks 27 may be of fiber, hard rubber or other electrically insulating material, and when secured in position as specified will positively hold the plates 18 and 19 in adjusted position while permitting the parts to be readily disconnected for renewal or replacement of broken parts. It is also obvious that the device can be readily connected and in use, the sparks produced between the points 26 will act as an intensifier or accelerator to insure alternations or interruptions in the current supply to the spark plug, and therefore produce a spark Furthermore the device can be successfully used on all gasolene motors as used in connection with automobiles and the like, thereby giving a more sure and hotter spark, as well as conserving or saving gas, assuring against fire in the motor and permitting the use of broken and 01d spark plugs as well as new ones, thereby reatly increasing the useful life of the spar plugs.-

Having thus described the invention what I claim is:

1. A spark plug intensifier comprising flat, plates of conducting material havin spaced apertures therethrough, one of sai plates being adapted for connection with a spark plug and the other of said plates bemg adapted for connection with a conductor leading to said plug, insulatin blocks having alined apertures dispose to register uection extended through said apertures for holding said blocks in clamping relation to the plates and securing said plates in spaced relation at their inner ends, said inner ends being tapered, and the block having apertures therethrough at said taperedends.

2. The combination with the terminal of a spark plug and a conductor having a terminal plate; of a pair of flat plates of electrically conducting material connected to said terminal and terminal plate, binding means for said connections, apertured blocks mounted on opposite sides ofvthe plates, connecting bolts passing through said blocks and plates, and said plates having their inner ends oppositely beveled to form the sparking points, said blocks having alined apertures at said points and into which said points project to render visible the spark passing therebetween. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my ture in the presenceof two witnesses.

RAYMOND S. PATOHEN. Witnesses:

JENNIE PATGHEN SHERMAN,

signa- 

